sector

[sek-ter]

noun

1. Geometry.,  a plane figure bounded by two radii and the included arc of a circle.

2. a distinct part, especially of society or of a nation's economy.

   the housing sector; the educational sector.

3. a section or zone, as of a city.

4. Military.,  a designated defense area, usually in a combat zone, within which a particular military unit operates and for which it is responsible.

5. a mathematical instrument consisting of two flat rulers hinged together at one end and bearing various scales.

6. Machinery.,  a device used in connection with an index plate, consisting of two arms rotating about the center of the plate and set to indicate the angle through which the work is indexed.

7. Astronomy.,  an instrument shaped like a sector of a circle, having a variable central angle and sights along the two straight sides, for measuring the angular distance between two celestial bodies.

8. Computers.,  a portion of a larger block of storage, as 1/128 of a track or disk.

verb (used with object)

1. to divide into sectors.

sector

/ ˈsɛktə /

noun

1. a part or subdivision, esp of a society or an economy

   the private sector

2. geometry either portion of a circle included between two radii and an arc. Area: 1/ 2 r ²θ, where r is the radius and θ is the central angle subtended by the arc (in radians)

3. a measuring instrument consisting of two graduated arms hinged at one end

4. a part or subdivision of an area of military operations

5. computing the smallest addressable portion of the track on a magnetic tape, disk, or drum store

sector

1. The part of a circle bounded by two radii and the arc between them.

Other Word Forms

• sectoral adjective
• subsector noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sector¹

First recorded in 1560–70; from Late Latin, from Latin: “cutter,” from sec(āre) “to cut, divide” + -tor -tor

Word History and Origins

Origin of sector¹

C16: from Late Latin: sector, from Latin: a cutter, from secāre to cut

Example Sentences

The brokerage holds a cautious view on the sector.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Recently introduced cybersecurity legislation in the U.K. would make companies in critical sectors including energy liable to be fined if they don’t prepare for attacks from hackers or state actors.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A top French wine salon risks upsetting the traditional defenders of the country's famed viticulture by handing over increased space to the booming alcohol-free sector.

Read more on Barron's

While public-market investors are fretting about shrinking cash flows, there is plenty of money still flowing into the sector.

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The healthcare sector has outperformed the Magnificent Seven, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average has surpassed the Nasdaq Composite since late October.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• district 
• part 
• region 
• zone